BBC Antiques Roadshow expert baffled at rare Rolex 'no one's ever heard of'

22 October 2023 , 21:44

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BBC Antiques Roadshow expert baffled at rare Rolex 'no one's ever heard of'

Antiques Roadshow sent watch-lovers into a frenzy after showing a super rare Rolex timepiece during Sunday night's instalment on BBC Two.

Experts couldn't quite believe their eyes when they were presented with the rarely-seen wristwatch while giving out valuations in Northern Ireland. Most people may have never heard of the hard-to-come-by timepiece, according to specialists. The popular BBC programme's in-house professional inspected the stunning accessory on Sunday as film crews captured the extra-special 'Rolex Sky Rocket'. "I would suggest that most collectors have never heard of the Sky Rocket," said the expert.

The rare Rolex watch might not be known to most collectors (BBC)

After revealing his son purchased the vintage watch from an online auction two years ago, the owner explained that they'd bought it for now seemingly reasonable price of just £300. The Antiques Roadshow pro explained the piece was "unusual".

He continued: "First, it's a Sky Rocket, there were very few made. And the word Sky Rocket is unusual though, we know the Sea Dweller, the Sky Dweller, but we, most people have never heard of the Sky Rocket.

"It was made exclusively in Canada. And they curiously didn't use a Rolex movement, which is very unusual. Rolex adapted a Swiss movement for this watch. And they called it the Sky Rocket. I have no clue why, but it was specifically bought or made for Canadian pilots in the Second World War.

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"And what's more unusual about it is the size I mean, it's minuscule really, and pilot's watches in the Second World War were notoriously very large. But mostly because they're all worn on the outside of those flying jackets with a great big bracelet and they usually around 45 to 25 mil watches."

Its owner couldn't believe it after learning its four-figure valuation (BBC)

After going into more detail about the watch, the expert explained what it was made from, adding: "All of them were made in base metal cases. So this is an alloy case, and they had luminous style luminous hands.

"And strangely, they were made with these silver dials as opposed to the black dials, which you would normally expect. So everything about the spec on this watch is completely different from all other military watches."

He revealed just how rare the watch was before shocking the guest with its valuation. The owner couldn't believe it after finding out it could fetch four figures if it was to go under the hammer. "I think it can easily fetch between £1.5 to £2,000."

Antiques Roadshow airs on BBC Two and is available on BBC iPlayer.

Harry Rutter